The Bible In A Year Daily Reading Plan
Saturday, April 22, 2023
Joshua 24:1-33, Luke 21:1-28, Psalm 89:38-52, Proverbs 13:20-23
Appeal To The Promise Keeper
Contributing Writer: Irvine Saint-Vilus
“Do you pinky swear?” As I watched the cute television program, my heart melted to hear the little girl’s sweet, tiny, quiet voice as she sought reassurance from her father. He made his daughter a promise, and the pinky swear was her insurance.
Imagine the devastation she will feel if the promise is unfulfilled?! Human parents are subject to err, but what about our heavenly Parent?
We can get angry with God when we perceive that He has broken His promise(s) to us because of challenging trials. Such was the case with David in Psalm 89.
Interestingly, the first 37 verses of the Psalm talk about God’s sovereignty (e.g., “For who in the heavens can be compared to the LORD” (v. 6)) and His faithfulness in keeping His covenant promise to David (vv. 3, 4), and providing him with victory and protection from his enemies (vv. 19-23). In an ironic twist, the latter verses (38-52), speak of how God has been “furious with his anointed” and has cast David off (v.38), and that David has become a reproach to his neighbors and his enemies, whom God has exalted over him (41-44).
When the present circumstances do not show evidence of God’s promises but show the very opposite- its easy to start murmuring and complaining about our issues and problems rather than reminding ourselves of the awesome God we serve. Like the psalmist, we may begin to accuse God of treating us harshly and not being faithful . Yet, the danger lies when we remain in that state of “woes me!”
That happens when we focus on our circumstances and forget the greatness of God. Fortunately, the psalmist does not end the Psalm by walking away from God. He comes back beseeching the Lord to remember his anointed and the promise that he had made to David, and to act on his behalf (vv. 49-51), and in verse 52, he blesses the Lord forevermore. Likewise, during times of difficulty, believers should continue to remember the faithfulness of God and His undying love for us, which He demonstrated through sending His only Begotten Son, Jesus to die on the cross for our sins.
Irvine is a published author, worship leader, instructor, and speaker. Over the past two years, she worked as an instructional assistant helping autistic students in the school system. Irvine also had the privilege of working as a chaplain in a hospital setting, which allowed her to minister to patients, staff and work in a team environment where collaboration and accountability were essential. Irvine received a Bachelor’s degree in English at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte; a Master’s degree in Divinity, and a School Counseling degree at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
